July 24th is National Tequila Day, a day to celebrate one of my favorite spirits. Given the heat wave we’ve been having in the United States this summer, the day is the perfect reason to micx up a pitcher of margaritas, sip on a Paloma, or try you hand at making something a little fancier.
Below are a few amazing tequila cocktails you can make at home to celebrate the day.
Crime + Passion
Ingredients:
1 oz. Tequila Don Julio Reposado
1/2 oz. Poblano Liqueur
2 oz. Fresh Lime juice
1 3/4 oz. Fresh Passionfruit Juice
Poblano Salt for Rimmed Glass
Directions: Combine Tequila Don Julio Reposado, poblano liqueur, fresh lime juice and fresh passionfruit into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain contents into a mason jar rimmed with poblano salt over fresh ice. Garnish with rosemary sprig.
Ideal Serving Glass: Mason Jar
Oaxacan Punch
Ingredients:
1 oz. Tequila Don Julio 70
1/2 oz. Zacapa Rum 23
1/3 oz. Tamarind Tea
1/4 oz. House Made Felernum Syrup
1/4 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
1/3 oz. Fresh Pineapple Juice
Pineapple Sice for Garnish
Directions: Combine Tequila Don Julio 70, Zacapa Rum 23, tamarind tea, house made felernum syrup, fresh lime juice and fresh pineapple juice into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain contents into a Collins glass over fresh ice. Garnish with pineapple slice.
Ideal Serving Glass: Collins Glass
24 Karat Golden Margarita
Gianni’s at The Villa Casa Casuarina, Miami FL
Ingredients:
2 oz. Don Julio Silver Tequila
1/2 oz. Grand Marnier
1 oz. Lime juice
1/2 oz. Simple Syrup
1/2 oz. Orange juice
Directions: Shake and strain, pour over rocks with salt rim. Garnish with orange, lime and 24 karat golden flakes.
Don Julio Creamsicle
Created by Mixologist Angela Laino
Ingredients:
1 oz. Tequila Don Julio Blanco
2 oz. Fresh Orange Juice
1/4 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
1/4 oz. Simple Syrup
1/2 oz. Water
Vanilla Coconut Cream*
*Vanilla Coconut Cream
Ingredients:
1 can Coconut Milk
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
Directions for cream: Place coconut milk in refrigerator for 20 minutes. Open can and scrape off solid coconut cream into a bowl. Add simple syrup and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth.
Directions: Combine Tequila Don Julio Blanco, fresh orange juice, fresh lime juice, simple syrup and water into a cocktail shaker. Shake well. Pour contents into popsicles mold and freeze. Serve in an Old Fashioned glass with vanilla coconut cream for dipping.
Ideal Serving Glass: Old Fashioned Glass
Bloody Maria
By: Azuñia Tequila
photo via Shutterstock
Ingredients:
4 tbsp (2 oz.) Azuñia Blanco Organic Tequila
6 tbsp (3 oz.) Tomato Juice
.5 tbsp (.25 oz.) Fresh Lemon Juice
Dash Tabasco® Sauce
Dash of Worcestershire® Sauce
Dash of Celery Salt
Seasoning Salt
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Roll all ingredients between the two shakers back and forth 5-6 times. Pour into glass and add ice. Top with desired garnish. Garnish: Lemon Wheel with Seasoned Salt Rim (or other favorite garnish: chili peppers, olives, pickled onions, bacon, celery stalk).